Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-06-17
SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
az Chittenden County-The cath Annual
Meeting.

aus held at Milton, June and 8. The con-
'aention was conducted by Rev. A. S. Gil
bert of Hinesburgh, president of the as
sociation. The exercises were held in the
church and began at 10
O'Clock with devotional service, con-
Quoted by Rev. w. d. Malcolm. In the
absence of the appointed speaker, the
sIblect, 1.-THE teachers dependence on the
Holy Spirit" was discussed in open con-
vention, in which Rev. j. Freeman, d. D.,
endale, S. j. Harris aud j. A. Bates took
part.
AFTERNOON.
Exercises opened by a song service led
most acceptably by Mr.. G. G. Wood with
mis- cornet, as were also all the song ser
vices of the sessions. Reports of 10
schools were presented, 10 of which were
Congregational, 3 Baptist, 3 Methodist
and 3 Union schools q schools not heard
from. The most encouraging report given
was of a school organized during the past
winter in Burlington, composed entirely
of children who had hitherto been neglect
ed and were not attendants upon any
school which now numbers 100. The meet
ings are held in room formerly used for
playing billiards
This gratifying state of things is re
ported to have been brought about by the
proprietor's wife having been cured, by
the prayer of faith, of an lncurable dis
ease. In accordance with resolution
passed at the last convention, Rev. j. l..
Sewall chairman OF statistical committee
presented map of the county showing
the location of every church and Sunday
school in the county, also the statistics
sbo wing the proportion of Inhabitants
who attend church and Sunday school,
Of those who do not, also of Professionals
and Catholics.
1t is impossible to place in the records
all the useful information given with the
map and chart but a few of the more i'm
portant facts, which it is hoped time will
change, by a practical combining of faith
and works of the Sunday school laborers
scattered through our county. AS near
AS the committee were able to ascertain,
there are in all, 80 Sunday schools in the
county So persons out of every 100 church
attendants do not attend Sunday school
AZ persons out of every 100 live over two
miles from church
The average attendance upon Sunday
school, 2754 five years OF age and under,
"a between the age of and 20. 23l1
adults, 1888 total attendance, 5093
About one-third of the population are
protestants, one-thrd Catholics, and one
third come under no religious influence
whatever.
The discussion which followed "How to
extend the influence of the Sunday school
vas opened by the president of the dsso-
citation, and as there were many practical
suggestions made in his remarks also in
remarks made by other participants in
the discussion, they are recorded in part.
The president thought that each superln
rendent should be a captain of band of
workers composed of his teachers. also
hut hriSf inn tar en-
day school either as a student or teacher
and should so far as possible follow the
command to Garry the gospel to every
creature in the parish" Rev. DR.. Free
man, who is over 80 years of age, gave
suggestions which seemed to him impera,
The ministers should always lead in this
kind of work to have it amount to any
thing the minister should enter every
home not only of his church but within
his reach, especially where there is no re-
ligious influence cared for. and enter them
not as high priest, but as the personal
friend of every poor neglected soul. Ref
erence WAS made to the filling OF the town
hall in Nergenues (Which seats more than
any church in town with an audience
which were not attendants at any church
or Sunday school, and he thought, what
had been done in Vergennes could be
done in every town in the county. Rev.
tdr Bates advocated the going into this
work of the merchants, lawyers, farmers
and all business men who came in con-
cact with all classes, and believed they
could accomplish more good because such
people would feel that they were truly in
1erested for their good and welfare be-
cause they would see no selfish motive or
interest, that they are so often ready to
shink they see, in minister of the gos-
pei. He would pledge the ministers of
the county to this work if the protesting
Christians who are business men would
bear their share Of the burden.
l.. B. Lord thought the best way to ex-
tend the influence of the Sunday school
was to hava a consecrated band of teach
ers, who came to their class every Sunday
With we'll prepared lesson; he thought
also that the pastors were ready to go land
there was no doubt about the need of it,
il their people would only give the back,
-ng essential.
Rev. Homer Eaton said he thought il
impossible for pastors to do this work in
addition to their pastoral duties, especial
" in the larger churches, that the mem
Ners of the churches both men and wo
men were suffering in their Christian
characters, because they were not taking
up this mission work as they should.
AS the time was more than up, assigned
the discussion, the president had to stoI
It, although it was evident many more
wished to speak.
ITO lOllOW luG COnInlIIttS were dn
bounced On resolutions, Rev. W. ID
Malcolm, Rev. S. Teller and Rev. Y. j
Harris on nominations. Rev. j. X. vii
llams, h. b. Jordan and David Field ad
lourned
EVENING.
The address of thetevening upon tn,
subjects THE religious aspect of Sun
Jay school work by Rev. Home
E2ton of Burlington was very interesting
srd was listened to by a full house. Mr.
Sewall spoke briefly. but very earnestl!
Upon the Importance of the convention
doing practical work, that the labor ex
pended upon the charts accomplish NOR
than simply interesting the audience.
Rev. DR.. Truman suggested that Mr.
3awall visit one church at least, in eacl
town in the county and hold union ser
vice and explain the charts, that the neeC
1T personal effort in home missionar.
work be brought home to the people.
MORNING.
Wednesdays session opened by praye